Concept Thunderfighter

mcusanelli

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I was really inspired by Rhaven Black's incredible work, so I picked the David Jones version to build this time, with the emphasis on making it as clean as possible, (for me anyway!) based on the previous builds/ mistakes I've done of this model. The most important thing is to take your time, with precise cuts, and precise placement of all the internal stuff, so that everything you add to the outside can go together right. The hardest part for me was rolling the 4 fuselage skins and getting them tightly assembled and lined up, so that the nose cones and engine parts would fit right. With that out of the way, the rest went together without a hitch, and I was sad to see this build end. Lots of fun, and now I want to build all the other versions! Thanks to Revell-Fan, RB, and Paperaviation.de for sharing these beautiful models with us. You guys Rock!
Mike
Oh, I cheated by making the cannons out of toothpics, as well as the tips of the nosecones...easier for sausage fingers to do than the kit parts! Also, I cut the wings apart at the fold line to get a cleaner/ easier to do leading edge, and touched up with acrylic paints (Folk Art Goosefeather mixed w/ white)
 

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Z

Zathros

Looks good, actually, that looks fantastic!! Please watch the double posts though, that's the second one in as many days! :)
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
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My compliments to your skills. You did a FANTASTIC job on this. It looks better then the very first TF that I build (which so happens to be the first paper model kit that I have ever build).

BTW, if you need any help (or have any qestions) with any part of the build, please PM me and I will do my best to answer your questions and help you out any way that I can.

Good luck with the rest of your projects. I am really looking forward to seeing more of your work.
 

mcusanelli

Well-Known Member
Hey, Sorry about that double post- I exited and thought I had forgotten to hit 'submit'! Duh.
Thanks for your kind words, too! This is such a great series of models and are as enjoyable to build as they are challenging. They sit on my shelf next to the old Monogram kit, and in comparison, are so much better.
Did anyone ever consider designing Buck's Ranger 1 shuttle? I always liked that ship - It wouldn't be that large, either, in the same scale. I think there's a resin model, but who wouldn't want to see a paper version? Ardala's shuttle or the Marauder would be cool too! Just dreamin'.....
Mike
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
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Did anyone ever consider designing Buck's Ranger 1 shuttle? I always liked that ship - It wouldn't be that large, either, in the same scale. I think there's a resin model, but who wouldn't want to see a paper version? Ardala's shuttle or the Marauder would be cool too! Just dreamin'.....
Mike

There has been interest in those models, but no one has picked up the ball with any of them yet.
I know that Ravell-fan has a few other BRTC25 models in the pipeline at the moment, but I am not certain as to when he will be able to get to them.
 

mcusanelli

Well-Known Member
Thank you TC! By the way, I'm currently building your Normandy SR 2...I printed the model out at 'poster size', and wound up with a 12'' long model....it's a gorgeous kit, I'll post pics soon.
RB: Thanks for the info, I look forward to them!

Mike
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
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Are going to build any of teh other variants?
If so, I would like to see a build thread and see how you make it.
I find it interesting how each person tackles a particular project and what techniques they use to get the finished product.
 

mcusanelli

Well-Known Member
RB,
Yes, I do want to build some of the others, I have the standard TF printed out so that's probably next. I don't know about the build thread, though....I get so little time to have fun doing this as it is, but I'll try. I'm a sculptor by trade and I have to photograph every step I take for clients, so I rarely think of shooting pics of models as I go. Maybe I'll do a quick thing on the nosecones, as they are the hardest part of the kit. As I've said before, the most important thing with this model, in all it's forms, is to cut out and align the parts as precisely as you can - that's what makes or breaks it. It's designed so beautifully, but you have to be exact to make it 'shine'. I would also suggest doing a test build first, because the second build will be worth the time and effort.
Mike
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
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RB,
Yes, I do want to build some of the others, I have the standard TF printed out so that's probably next. I don't know about the build thread, though....I get so little time to have fun doing this as it is, but I'll try. I'm a sculptor by trade and I have to photograph every step I take for clients, so I rarely think of shooting pics of models as I go. Maybe I'll do a quick thing on the nosecones, as they are the hardest part of the kit. As I've said before, the most important thing with this model, in all it's forms, is to cut out and align the parts as precisely as you can - that's what makes or breaks it. It's designed so beautifully, but you have to be exact to make it 'shine'. I would also suggest doing a test build first, because the second build will be worth the time and effort.
Mike

I fully understand not having the time to take photos during a build.

I also have to agree with you about the first build should always be a test build. I am the same way. When I decide to build a model that I have not built yet. I will build it as the kit is to see how it goes together and find all of the "tricky" parts. After all of that, I will rebuild it and (more then likely) detail the model as much as I can think of at the time. There are times where I will go through the model a few more times before I have it just the way I like it (with all the detail that I can put into it).
The Thunder Fighter is a prime example of that way of approaching a model. I have built it (and all available variants) a few times, and each time, I have found something new to try to make it even more detailed.
I think that I am at the limits with the Thunder Fighter (in 1:32 scale that is).

Once again, if you have any problems or concerns, please feel free to contact me and I will answer your questions and address your concerns the best that I can.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.
 

Revell-Fan

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YES! Finally someone else is building the planes! :mrgreen:

Wow, your build is breathtaking. Keep it up!!! :thumb::thumb::thumb:
 

mcusanelli

Well-Known Member
Thanks RF! Your work is absolutely incredible, I look forward to building all of your kits! Just finished the Raptor, I'll try to post pics this weekend.
Mike
 

Revell-Fan

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Thanks RF! Your work is absolutely incredible, I look forward to building all of your kits! Just finished the Raptor, I'll try to post pics this weekend.
Mike
:mrgreen:
A display stand for the Raptor will be available shortly! I'm looking forward to seeing your bird! GOOD LUCK! :wave:
 
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